hard/rough nappy question

I have been given some motherease nappies and bought some second hand bamboozles. I've washed them a couple of times on a 40 degree wash and line dried - is there any way of getting them soft? I live in a hard water area, so don't know if that's the problem but they seem quite hard and rough, and even with a fleece liner would be worried about putting them on a new born.

Rain water is the dogs whatsits when it comes to softening nappies and it gets the stains out too if left out. Dont have to hang them on the line just leave a bucket out to collect water and dunk them in.